Kia - Kia Motors ripoff Defective brakes cannot repair Atalnta Georgia
April 2006 Initial purchase of vehicle
May 11, 2006
Mileage 9593
Replaced front rotors and pads on vehicle
Replaced rear drums
Preformed under warranty
Oct 24, 2006
Mileage 21061
Replaced front rotors and pads under warranty
Paid to have rear brakes Re-adjusted
Nov 6, 2006
Mileage 22025
Had both front rotors and rear drums turned for overeating and warping
as required by certified Kia Technician
Paid $226.85 saying these were no longer covered by warranty
Dec 12, 2006
Back in for service on this date.
4th repair attempt as directed by Kia Motors
When asking for the service manager as directed to do so in your letter dated December 5, 2006 I was told it was not necessary and they were going to fix the brakes again. The front rotors and pads were replaced again and the after a test drive, they had also decided to machine the rear drums again in order to stop the vibrations.
Dec 12, 2006
Mileage 24015
Had both front rotors and rear drums turned for overeating and warping
as required by Kia service department
Dec 15, 2006
Sent certified letter to Kia Motors that was signed for on 12-19-06
Stated repairs are only fixing the broken parks, not the problem of vehicle
Jan 5, 2007
Called Kia Motors. Left Voice mail for Yasmine Epps requesting a return call
Feb 17, 207
Independent ASE certified mechanic states front rotors are warped and glazed while doing oil change.
Recommends turning rotors and replacing pads
Feb 17, 2007
Sent Fax to Yasmine Epps detailing ASE certified mechanics diagnosis of warped and glazed front rotors.
Fed 21, 2007
Received a letter from Kia Corporate after notifying that the 5th repair is now in order. Kia will not repurchase our vehicle and will only continue to honor the warranty.
Called Yasmine Epps and left a voice mail stating frustration.
Called Kia of Blue Ridge spoke with Kim. She was going to call Yasmine and get back to us. She left Yasmine a VM as well. Will follow up.
Asked to bring the vehicle back into dealership for their mechanic to perform and inspection.
Mar 2, 2007
Mileage 29448
Kia Dealership verifies that vehicle once again needs new rotors, drums and pads
Mar 5, 2007
Another fax sent to Yasmine Epps requesting action for defective brakes.
Mar 13, 2007
Spoke with Yasmine Epps again about my vehicle. She kindly informed me that they will not do anything for our vehicle.
There have bee several voice mails prior to this conversation. None have even been returned.
Spoke briefly with Yasmine's supervisor (Kevin Williams) and he got her on the phone to talk me and she informed me that KIA will do nothing for our vehicle.
Mar 14, 2007 Reported problem to NHTSA.
Left message for Kevin Williams to call me. Never called back.
March 16, 2007
Left another message for Kevin Williams to call me. Never called back.
Yasmine will not answer her phone.
Informed Kim at Lifetime Kia that I am going to start a protest and website as well as contact an attorney
Scheduled 5th brake repair for 3-23-07 @ 3:30
I was informed it will cost about $720.00 for the repair.
March 20, 2007
Left messages for both Yasmine Epps and Kevin Williams to please return my call or email me. - No response.
Statements from Kia and the dealership attest that the first 3 repairs and a defective brake rotor and the 4th repair was made with a revised part made of a different material. I was still charged for one of these defective repairs. They claim that the 4th repair was made with a revised part consisting of a new material. Even though the problem of overheated and warped rotors still exists, Kia maintains the opinion that it is no longer a defective part and therefore will not offer any assistance. Kia also maintains that this problem is only occurring in areas with steep terrain or lots of stop-and-go traffic By this statement, they know there is a problem, but since it is only effecting a few people, they will not stand behind their product.
Kia has offered me a trade-in value of $9,000 (about $8K less than what I paid for it less than a year ago). Stating it would be cheaper for me to buy a new one than to keep replacing the brakes on this one. Why should I have to take a $8K loss to buy another vehicle b/c they cannot seem to figure out why the brakes keep warping on mine and 3 others families that I personally know of?
Dan
Whittier, North Carolina
U.S.A.
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8 Updates & Rebuttals
Dan
Whittier,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
You are missing the point...!
#9Author of original report
Tue, April 03, 2007
I know how to replace rotors and shoes and have done it many times. You are missing the point. This vehicle is too heavy for the current size rotors and therefore the energy displaced as heat while stopping is too much for the rotors. When they are replaced (Now on my 6th set) they just overheat and warp again in about 5K miles.
I change the rotors more other than the oil.
I am starting a site for people to post KIA related problems and going to sit in front of the dealership trying to get the attention of Kia Corporate. These are several others with the same problem. Kia has modified parts, but they are still not lasting. They need to address the problem and not just replace the wearing parts. Try a GOOGLE search under Kia Sucks or Kia brake problems and you will find some lawsuits listed and many similar complaints.
Sincerely,
Marc
Makaha,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
Why go to KIA? Why use KIA parts?
#9Consumer Comment
Mon, April 02, 2007
Rotors and pads are relatively inexpensive to replace, and I'm sure Napa and a decent mechanic can solve your problem.
John
Goshen,New York,
U.S.A.
Lemon Law?
#9Consumer Suggestion
Mon, March 26, 2007
You might want to check to see if there is a lawyer in your area who specializes in automotive Lemon Law cases and would be willing to give you some "free" advise on whether or not you have a case. You will probably need all your records. It might be worth the phone call!
Dan
Whittier,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
One Footed... My Kia Sucks
#9Author of original report
Sat, March 24, 2007
I assure you, both me and my wife drive with one foot.
Don't forget the representative from Kia Motors also admitted this problems exists (The problem of warping rotors). The dealer told us not to drive over 60 mph. Turn off overdrive as you will go faster with it on. Always downshift your automatic transmission when going down a hill and NEVER pull a trailer as the brakes cannot handle it. This Kia sucks and they know it.
This van is rated for a trailer not weighing more than 3,500 lbs (Page 5-16 of owners manual) and if it weighs more than 1,250 lbs then it needs its own brakes (Page 5-19) This vehicle has a trailer hitch as well. However, the dealer stated to never pull anything as the brakes cannot handle it.
Kia is aware of the problem and they will not noting about it b/c they are afraid of making a recall. There service sucks and I personally know several other families with the same van and the exact same problem. We are going to be sitting outside our local dealership promoting our website and giving out lemonade trying to get some help.
We would really love someone who could get their attention. We did not buy a van to replace the brakes more that the oil.
Lee Ving
San Francisco,California,
U.S.A.
A glorified Go-Kart
#9Consumer Comment
Sat, March 24, 2007
The dealership probably told you to budget $300 a month for brakes until you learn how to drive. I understand that KIA is a cheap piece of crap, but I highly doubt it's this crappy.
You may want to check your feet as you may be subconsciously putting your foot on the brake because you're afraid of going over 40 miles an hour in a glorified Go-Kart.
Do helmets come with KIAs?
Dan
Whittier,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
I'm sorry, I do know how to drive. Brakes Defective!!
#9Author of original report
Fri, March 23, 2007
Okay, if I rode the brakes, I could understand this... However, I have three other vehicles w/o the problem. I do not ride brakes. I drive with one foot. I did learn the right way....
1995 Toyota Corolla 130K miles - 1 set brakes
1995 Buick Century 85K miles - Original brakes
2001 KIA Sportage 71K miles - Original brakes
2005 Kia Sedona 31K miles - Need 6th set now
Maybe this is due to the FACT that the 05 Kia Sedona is the heaviest mini-van on the road by over 400 lbs. They used the exact same brakes that they used in their smaller cars. When the brakes are applied, forward momentum is dissipated as HEAT. If the rotors are undersized for the vehicle, they will heat up and WARP. KIA admits this problem exists in areas with terrain or stop-and-go traffic. Since it does not effect everyone, they will do nothing but sell us more parts and repairs to the tune of $700 a pop.
I would accept your story more if all of the 05 Sedona owners I knew did not have the same problems. They do. The brakes are not appropriate for the vehicle.
I'm starting a site at (((ROR REDACTED LINK FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))for people to post messages and comments. I'm hoping to get the attention of KIA corporate and possibly stop other from buying form a company that will kindly take your $20,000 and not stand behind their product.
Right now the dealership has just told me to budget (about $300 a month) for brake replacement. Never mind the payment on top of that....!
Please contact me at (((ROR REDACTED E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))so I can include your comments and/or place them on the site at (((ROR REDACTED LINK FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))
Thanks,
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Lennox
Catonsville,Maryland,
U.S.A.
Kia Brake Problems Are Well Reported - Anyone Interested In a Class Action Suit
#9Consumer Comment
Fri, March 23, 2007
I have a Kia Sedona 2005. I have the same problem with the brakes. They fixed it once and then I was on my own.
It's time for a class action law suit on this company. They are just ripping people off!!
Anylawyer interested in starting this, let me know. there are plenty of people out there that are beind screwed.
Robert
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
I recognize the issue you are having
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, March 21, 2007
It's very common actually. I know of many people who have the same problem with any car they drive, not just a KIA.
They ALL stop by applying the brake with their left foot. Get it. you are riding the brake. It will not make you stop faster. In fact, the accelerator will overpower the brake in a panic stop, and you will just keep going.
Look at the issue...front rotors warping, and pads wearing out rapidly. The rotors ONLY warp because of excessive heat. The pads wear out because they are being applied constantly.
KIA knows this. They are tring to be diplomatic. Apparently, you are not uncivilized in your dealings with them. They appreciate it. Nobody wants to hear they ride the brakes.
I have customers with this issue drive, while I sit in the passenger seat. They get very careful about that left foot for a while, but habits don't die easily. After about 15 minutes, it ends up on the pedal. I'm right there with my cell phone, taking pics the whole time. They don't even notice. All I do is make a "buzz" sound when they do it, and they take it off. After about 30 minutes of tooling around town, we go back to the shop, and I download the pics onto the computer so they can see what they do.
None of them can believe what they see. They don't even know they do it. Someone taught them how to drive the WRONG way, and they never change...at least until it really starts costing them. My Dad was the same way. New brakes every year, while the rest of us would go 4 or more. Then he got a stick-shift. That gave him a 3rd pedal to ride. New clutches really got expensive. It took him 30 years to break the habit.